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Legislators, students debate higher ed.

Virginia legislators stressed the dismal budget situation in the Commonwealth and the many competing priorities the General Assembly is faced with when six state delegates and one state senator fielded student questions on hot-button higher education topics last night. The legislative affairs committee of Student Council brought Virginia Senator Craig Deeds, D-25th district, Virginia Delegates Robert Bell, R-58th, Preston Bryant, Jr., R-23rd, John Cosgrove, R-78th, Steven Landes, R-25th, Davis Rust, R-86th, and Mitchell Van Yahres, D-57th, to the University for a question-and-answer session. "We felt that students and also legislators really didn't know each other well," committee Chair Alex Stolar said.


News

Slaughter resigns from State Water Control Board

Former Charlottesville mayor Kay Slaughter resigned from her post on the State Water Control Board Thursday amid allegations of conflict of interest. Slaughter, currently an environmental lawyer with the Southern Environmental Law Center, is involved in a dispute over the proposed construction of the King William Reservoir in Newport News, Va.


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Board establishes new Architecture Foundation

In the wake of declining state funding, the School of Architecture aims to bolster private donations by creating a new foundation approved by the Board of Visitors last weekend. According to Susan Ketron, director of development and alumni relations, the foundation was created to provide a more formal structure for Architecture School fundraising. Ketron said with the next capital campaign approaching, the need for private dollars is essential.


News

Bull runs loose in City

A bull broke free from a stockyard Saturday, Sept. 27 and roamed the streets of Charlottesville for 10 hours before being subdued the following morning. The 1200-pound black angus escaped from the Charlottesville Livestock Market at 11 p.m.


News

Think when you drink: The new norm?

The fall of 1997 was a sorrowful semester for the Commonwealth's public colleges and universities, when alcohol-related accidents claimed the lives of five students statewide. Among those who died was University student Leslie Ann Baltz, said Susan Bruce, director of the University's Center for Alcohol and Substance Education, commonly know as CASE. Baltz, left unattended with a blood alcohol content of .27, died from severe head injuries after falling down stairs.


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Lane expansions on I-81 may result in tolls

To ease the heavy congestion on Interstate 81, the Virginia Department of Transportation plans to expand the highway, which probably will result in the institution of tolls, according to VDOT Public Relations Assistant Eric Gorton. "We think [expanding the highway] will be a prudent thing to do given that when the highway was built and open to the public in 1963, it was constructed for 15 percent truck traffic and now there is 40 percent truck traffic," Gorton said.


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Honor aims to secure credit option

A new Honor Committee initiative may give students the opportunity to buy on credit from merchants on the Corner. According to Honor Chair Carey Mignerey, the issue being proposed essentially puts students on their honor to repay any loan they contract with a merchant.


News

Council thanks Seven Society for donation

Student Council Executive Vice President Rabeen Pasha introduced a resolution expressing Council's gratitude to the Seven Society for their donation of $10,777.77 to Council's Homecoming Committee last night. Council suspended the rules in order to vote on the resolution immediately and passed it. The resolution specifically recognized the collaborative efforts of the University Programs Council, Inter-Fraternity Council, Inter-Sorority Council, Alumni Hall, the Athletic Department and the Council Athletic Affairs Committee for their efforts over the past two years to create a stronger Homecoming tradition. Homecoming Committee Co-Chair Brigitte Hoyer said the donation not only prevented the Homecoming planners from making programming cuts to the weekend's festivities due to a previous lack of funds but it also enabled them to pursue a "bigger name" band. Hoyer added that the Homecoming planners hope to finalize the band this week with an announcement made by the time the University returns from Fall Break.


News

New funds allocated to research initiative

In a show of commitment toward the improvement of University research, the Board of Visitors resolved Saturday to invest $60 million in a five-year scientific research enterprise which will include the recruitment of 10 new faculty teams. Although the University ranks first among public institutions and 21st among all American universities, it is ranked 49th in total research and development expenditure. The entire cost of the proposed research enterprise is estimated at $125.8 million. Vice President for Research Ariel Gomez said he sees the initiative as a way to increase the quality of the University's products. "We produce discovery and education and public service," Gomez said.


News

GONE IN A FLASH

Over 60 students congregated in the lobby of Alderman Library yesterday evening to dance a waltz for roughly 30 seconds before dispersing.


News

Albemarle County teens indicted in Crozet mother-son murder case

An Albemarle County grand jury returned indictments yesterday against three local teenagers for the murder of a Crozet woman and her son. Robert Paul Davis and William Rocklin Fugett, both 19, and Fugett's sister Jessica, 16, are accused in connection with the death of Nola Annette Charles, 41, and her three-year old son. The murder took place on Cling Lane in Crozet on February 19th. Charles was tied to a bed and stabbed, and her son died of smoke inhalation after the house was set on fire, according to prosecutors. All three suspects resided on Cling Lane at the time of the murder and knew both Charles and her son, County officials said.


News

University ponders future tuition hike

Although final decisions concerning changes to tuition rates will not be made until April, the Board of Visitors met over the weekend to begin preliminary discussions on future costs of attending the University. According to University officials, the amount of tuition increase relies heavily upon the funding the University receives from the state. "We are at the mercy of the legislature," said Board member William Goodwin, chair of the finance committee.


News

Drug bust details emerge, suspects face prison time

The 15 suspects arrested on charges of alleged narcotics and drug distribution last week in "Operation Spring Break Down" each could face up to 10 years in prison and a $2,500 fine for each felony offense if convicted. Although the penalties for drug distribution are intentionally harsh, Charlottesville Police Officer Jeff Sandridge said many suspects may be able to negotiate for lighter sentences. "If it's a first offense, they could plead it down and just get a few days of jail time and probation for two years," he said. University Law Prof.


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Since the Contemplative Commons opening April 4, the building has hosted events for the University community. Sam Cole, Commons’ Assistant Director of Student Engagement, discusses how the Contemplative Sciences Center is molding itself to meet students’ needs and provide a wide range of opportunities for students to discover contemplative practices that can help them thrive at the University.